Family members sometimes feel overwhelmed when their loved ones are very ill. They need ideas on how to help someone that is very ill have better days. Here are some ideas of mine I found helped my father that’s very ill.

Many of my readers know that my father is very ill. Today I was pleasantly surprised. My dad was feeling very tired, and didn’t want to eat much. I had started to feel hopeless about ever cheering him up, due to his illness he’s suffering from these days.

My sister Brenda was looking at old photographs, and we both started sharing them with him. This did indeed bring him moments of enjoyment. My daughter Stacy, my sister Brenda set around for quite a while paging through the best of our old memories.

I wasn’t sure if this would help his mood, or damage it. All of us were pleasantly surprised. Sharing old photographs is one great way to help someone feel special.

There was another surprise for my dad today. His granddaughter Christy took a walk with her dog, and came in with him. My dad always did like the company of dogs around him. Today, he showed an interest in giving this dog some attention. This gave us hope for hopeful brighter tomorrows.

People that are ill from the cold, or flu, will benefit from these types of enjoyment as well as someone more seriously ill. Love can be shown in many ways. Think about what makes you smile, then see if someone who needs uplifting may enjoy it as well. You’ll never know unless you try.

My mother Mildred, has been fixing him milk shakes with ensure mix in it on a daily basis, to help keep his strength up. Last night he told his wife he might think about having some chocolate milk along with him if she decided to have one as well. Think about offering someone that is ill something that they always seem to injoy. You could ask them if they would like any thing from hot chocolate to a nice cup of hot tea.

If it’s warm outside, offer your loved one the idea of setting outside for a brief time. Make some sun tea. Sun tea smells so good. It will open those senses that have kept him alive for years. This too is a great memory in itself.

Love does warm the soul, inside and out. It may just cures what ails you both; the need for spirit uplifting. The people that are caring for an ill family member or friend need to have some relaxing feelings themselves. All these things I’ve mentioned above, I truly pray will help all who take my suggestions, and put them to good use.

I am not Jenny’s sister, but my father is also ill. He enjoys talking about memories and sharing fond times. For some people having a favorite food, or going for a short walk, or looking out a window is also nice.

Just reading these suggestions cheered me up without trying them yet. I will pass this on. Thanks.

psikotik1

On April 28, 2011 at 12:26 pm

My wife is very ill and disabled with a spinal injury, Fibromyalgia, and several other chronic pain diseases. Most days she must spend in bed, sleeping, when she would rather be spending time doing other things and being productive. I am disabled as well, due to mental illness. My son is also mentally ill and Autistic.

My wife’s illnesses are hard on her. And watching her go through the pain she feels is hard on me, too. My son gets frustrated because he wants to spend time with her. Even if it just watching TV together.

Do you have any advise for cheering up the caregivers? I get very depressed because I cannot be with my wife and just talk with her, and share our lives. Sometimes I cry all day just thinking about it. It makes her feel very guilty, but I cannot help it. Your article has helped to give me some ideas on how to lift her spirits and my son’s, as well. But I really could use some relief, too. How do you deal with your father’s illness without getting down in the dumps?

I wish you, your father, and the rest of your family the best. Thank you for sharing with us your story,